Signaling system.



U. E. BEACH.

'fiIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.23,1910.

1,062,381 Patented May 20, 1913 2 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

G.E.BEACH.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED sBPT.2s,191m

Patented May 20, 1913.

2 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

INVENTOR aw KM,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CLARENCE E. BEACH, 011 BINGHAM'I'ON, NEW YORK, Assr'euoa TO GEORGEofxNAPP,

v a on NEW YORK, N. Y.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7

' Patented May 20, 1913.

Application filed September 23, 1910. Serial No.,58 3,463.

circuits having signal receiving devices l0- cated at a plurality ofpoints and having signal transmitting deviceslocated at a centralstation, and the object is to provide im proved means and arrangementsfor nulleating defects at' the transmitting station and Without causingsuch defects to influence the receiving stations 'or to be indicated,-

sounded or otherwise manifested at the re ceiving stations.

In systems'of this class as heretofore arranged, breaks in the circuitor grounding thereof will be manifested at the receiving or recordinginstruments on the circuit, and confusion and disturbance would result.For example, in fire alarm systems there would be confusion at the fireengine houses or other points Where signal recordingand indicatingdevices will be located.

The object of my invention is, therefore, to so arrange the systems asto eliminate such confusion and disturbance at the receiving stations,yet to clearly andreliably indicate at the transmitting station thecircuit defects which cause such confusion and disturbance. This Iaccomplish by ,novel circuit arrangement and circuit controllingapparatus. In iny arrangementthe circuit, including the circuitreceiving andrecording devices, is normally permanently closed throughhigh resistance paths at the central station, so that theelectro-magnetic actuating parts of the signal receiving and recordingdevices will normally receive insufficient current flow and Will not o-peratively aiiect their recording or signaling mechanism. The circuit cantherefore become defective by being grounded or open or otherwiseinfluenced Without causing any change in the operative condition of thesignal receiving or. recording devices, and there will be no confusionor disturbance. In'the resistance paths at the central station I includeelectro-magnetie devices which are. responsive to the normal low currentflow throughthe ing post B, relay magnet M to binding circuit to controlvarious circuits including indicating apparatus. The defects on thecircuits, although not causing any disturbanceat the signal recording orreceiving apparatus, will aifect the eleetro-magnetic mechanisms andconsequent adjustment of the indicating'circuits to cause indication atthe central station of the defects. At the central station I 'alsoprovide signal controlling mechanism adapted when connected With thecircuit to change the. current con-.

ditions in the circuit to cause operative response'offthesignalreceiving and recording apparatus.

In the draWings-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of one form ofcircuit; and Fi 2 is a diagrammatic illust-ration of a modi ed form ofcircuit.

' In 1, A is the main battery from which current normally flows throughbindpost B thence through circuit C to bell magnet D, register magnet Eand other signal indicating or recording devices,-F, F, F, F, to bindingpost 13?, thence through relay magnet M to binding post B and other sideof battery. 7 v I The winding of the magnets M and M is such that theywill be sufiieiently energized to draw their respective armatures G andG against stops H and H", even though the current passing through themis insufficient to cause the magnets D and E and the magnets provided inthe devices F, F, F, F, to actuate their respective armatures, theresistance of said magnets M and M being such that the volume of currentwhich the battery A can send through said magnetsand the path alreadydescribed will not be sufficient to attract or cause to be attracted orretained the armatures of the signal recording or indicating devicesconnected With the circuit C. The resistance ofthe' foregoing currentpath between the binding posts B and B B and B resymctively, may, ofcourse, be made up partly of the resistance of the magnets M and M andpartly of a resistance coil placed in series therewith. A con nection isestablished bet-Ween the binding post B and the earth Iby means of theWire J. It Will thus be seen that in the event of any portion of thecircuit becoming grounded, aeurrent path will be established from thebinding post B to the inding post B in parallel with the path whichincludes the magnet M thus demagnetizing said magnet M so that itsarmature G will be retracted by means of the tension spring K until saidarmature makes contact with the stop L Any ordinary signaling orindicating mechanism may be controlled by this armature G That shown'inFig: 1 comprises the local battery N, bell O and annunciator drop P Fromone side of the battery N, the cur- Q to'the binding posts P. From thebind in post B, a path is provided throu h wire Q to hell O, thencethrough wire a to the other side of the battery N. It will thus be seenthat-if the magnet M is so energized asrto hold its armature Gr againstthe stop .-H and the magnet M is demagnetized, the armature G will fallagainst the stop L and thus provide a path for the current from thebattery vN through wire Q, armature G, stop H wire Q armature G stop Lwire Q annunciator dro P wire Q bin ing post B3, wire Q bell -and WireQ, back to the other side of-battery N, thus causing the annunciatordrop P to give a visible indication and the bell O to give andiblenotice that some portion of the circuit .C has been grounded.

In case the main line circuit through'the path already described shouldbe interrupted or the main battery A should fail, the current throughmagnets M and M will be interrupted and the armatures G and G- will beretracted so as to rest upon 1 the stops L and L respectively. The pathof current from the local battery N would now be through wire Q toarmature G, thence through stop L wire Q5, magnet of annunciator drop Pand wire Q to. binding post B, thence-through wire Q bell O and wire Qto the other side of battery N. It will thus be seen that wheney'er thecurrent .-fiow in such main circuit is interrupted, the fact W111 bevisibly indicated by annuncia-- tor drop 1? and audibly announced bybell O, but the annunciator drop P will not be affected.

For the purpose of transmitting a signal to the devices included incircuit C, a connection is established between binding posts B and B andbinding posts B and B respectively, a signaling device, here shown as akey B, being provided with the stationary cont-acts S and S and themovable contacts T and T so arranged that-said movable contacts may bebrought against the respective stationary contactswhen the handle of thekey is depressed. Contact S is connected with binding post B by the wireU and contact T is" connected with the binding post B by the wire UBinding post B is connected with contact S by the wireU and contact T isconnected with the binding post B by the wire U.

A separate main battery may be substituted for the battery A, the wiresU and U being in thatevent connected to the corresponding terminals ofsuch separate bat;

tery.

It will now be seen that if the handle of the key R is depressed, thecurrent-may flow from the binding post- B through the wire U contacts Sand T- and wire U to the binding post B and from thence such currentwill divide, a small part returning through the magnet M to the bindingpost B and the other side of battery A, but the principal portion ofsaid current flowing through circuit C signal recording and indi-'-cating devices F, F, F, F, register magnet E and bell magnet D' tobinding post B thence through wire U, contacts T and S and wire U tobinding post B There will also be a path from binding post B throughrelay magnet M to binding post B through which a slight current willpass and return through wire U, contacts T and S and wireUFto bindingpost 13.

It will be seen from the-foregoing that the ion action of the signal keyR will only vary the current in the magnets M and M but not at any timeinterrupt or reverse the direction of said current through thesemagnets, and signals can, therefore, be transmitted by operating the keyR without causing the armatures G .or G to vibrate and, therefore,without affecting the annunciator drops P or P or the bell 0. It willalso be noted that the .test current normally 7 flowing through thecircuit C is in the opposite direction from the signaling current whichflows through said circuit, while the -key R is depressed, which facthas a very beneficial effect in that it tends to overcome and neutralizeany residual magnetism in the magnets D and E and of the devices F F, F,F. In practice, this results in much more accurate operation of allsignal sounding and recording instruments used in fire alarm. service. D

The signal key R is merely shown to indicate the manner in which thebattery should be connected to the'line circuit for transmitv ting asignal, but this key forms no part of the present invention and anysignal key, mechanical transmitter or other device, which will cause thebattery to be connected to, the line circuit in the same manner, may

be substituted for the key construction shown.

Fig. 2 shows a similar equipment, using a pair of magnets having acommon armature, one of the magnet spools 2 being normally in one leg ofthe line-and the other ma net spool 5 being normally in the other leg 0the line, and my improved test current scheme being applied to thecircuit in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 1. In the normaloperation of the syste current flows from terminal B of the battery Athrough the magnet spool 2, wire 3, binding post B to thecircuit Cin'which maybe included, as in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, a bellmagnet D, a register magnet 'E, and other signal indicating or recordingdevices F, F, F, F, thence from the other side of the circuit to thebinding post B through wire 4 .to the magnet spool 5,

through wire 6 to binding post B and the.

other side of the battery. This current, owing to the relatively highresistance of the spools 2 and 5, is comparatively small but issufficient to hold the armature 9 against its stop 7. In case of anydisturbance to the main line, thecurrent ceases to flow or is diminishedthrough the magnet spools 2 and 5, thearmature 9 is retracted and closesthrough the stop 8 the local circuit. including the battery N and a bellO.

The signaling device R, here shown as a transmitting key, is providedwith the mov ablecontacts T T and the fixed contacts S S this signaling.device being so arranged in the circuit that the flow of-current -isin'the direction opposite "to that of the normal or test current flow.

A very important advantage is obtained through the use of theabove-described arrangement in that an accidental interruption of thecircuit will not cause the signal recording and indicating devices toact, thus avoiding confusion and disturbance at fireengine houses orother'pointswhere signalrecording and indicating devices are located inthe event of the momentary breaking and closing of the circuit one ormore times,

wliile-at-the same time" such breaking and closing-will afie'ct themagnets M and M (Fig. 1) or 2, 5 (Fig. 2), thus indicating a disturbanceto the circuit at 'the central ofiice.

1. 'A signaling: system comprising a circnit-havingsignal transmittingand receivi112 devices therein and a battery, one terminal of which isgrounded, a normally energized relayconncctcd to said grounded end :Oiithe battery and to one side of the .signal circuit.- a local batterycircuit controlled by said rel-av and containing a signhling'dcvu-egztsecond normally: energized relay connected to the other terminal of theopposite sides of said battery and signal cir-' v cuit, a local batterycircuit including" the armature of both relays and a signaling device,and a branch local circuit including a signaling device controlled onlyby the relay connected to the nongrounded end of the battery.

3. A signaling system comprising a circuit having signal transmittingand receiving devices therein and a battery, one terminal of which isgrounded, relays connected to opposite sides of said battery and signalcirc lit, a local battery circuit including the armature of both relaysand a signaling device, and a branch local circuit including a signalingdevice controlled only by the relay connected to the non-grounded end ofthe battery, said signal transmitting device being connected to transmitcurrent ii? a direction opposite to that of the normal current fiOW. v

'4. A signaling system comprising a circuit having a battery therein andhaving signalreceiving devices and magnetic-controlling means havingcoils connected on each side of the battery and on each side of thesignal circuit, a local battery circuit containing a signaling deviceand controlled by such magnetic-controlling means, andasignal-transmitting device adapted to connect the said signal-receivingdevices directly to the said battery.

5. A-signaling system comprising a normally closed circuit having signaltransmitting and receiving devices therein and a, battery, magneticcontrolling means having coils connected on each side of the batteryandon each side of the signal circuit, and a local bat ery'circuitcontaining a signaling device an controlled by such magnetic controllingmeans, said signal transmitting device being connected to transmitcurrent in a direction opposite to that of the normal current flow.

6. A signaling system comprising afnormally close c1rcu1t having-asource of ourrent therein and signal receiving devices, means normallyincluded 1n said circuit between the source of current and said signalreceiving devices for restricting the current flow therethrough to beless than the current flow required for normal operation of v therecciving devices, and circuit controlling means adapted tobQflSSOCHLtPd wlth said circuit to increase the current flow throughsaid receivin devices to cause normal operation-thereo I 7. A signalingsystem comprising a normally closed circuit having a source of our renttherein and signal receiving devices, means normally included in saidcircuit between the source of current and the signal. receiving devicesfor restricting the current flow therethrough to be less than thecurrent flow required for normal operation of the receiving devices, andcircuit-controlling means adapted to connect said signal receivingdevices directly to the said cur rent source. p

8. A signaling system comprising a permanently closed circuit having abattery therein and electro-magnetic receiving de vices, means normallyincluded in said circuit between said battery and said receiving devicesfor restrictingthe current flow therethrou h to be less than the currentflow require for normal operation of the receiving devices, and a signaltransmitting key adapted to connect said signal receiving devicesdirectly to the battery. e

9. A signaling system comprising a closed circuit containing a source ofcurrent and electro-magnetic .receiving devices, electromagnets havingwindings permanently included in said circuit between said source ofcurrent and said receiving devices, the resistance of said circuit beingnormally such that the current flow theret-hrough will be insufficientto cause normal operation of the receiving device butsuificient to causeenergization of saidelectro-magnets, circuits controlled by saidelectro-magnetsand ineluding indicating mechanism, and signaltransmitting mechanism adapted to connect said receiving devicesdirectly to said source of current.

10. In a signaling system, electro-mag netic receiving devices, 'asource of current, electro-magnets, a circuit normally seriallyincluding said receiving devices, electromagnets in said source ofcurrent, said' electro-magnets being of high resistance so that thecurrent flow isnormally insuliicient to allow effective operation of thereceiving devices, signaling circuits controlled bysaid electro-magnets,and signal transmitting mechanism adapted to be connected in parallelrelation to said electro-magnets to allow sufiicient current flow forefiective operation of the receiving devices.

11. A signaling system comprising a circuit having signal transmittingand receiving devices therein and abattery, a' resistance normally inseries-with the signal .1- ceiving devices, and means operated by thesignal'transmitting device for connecting the battery. to the signalreceiving devices in parallel to said resistance.

- l-2..A signaling system comprising a circuit having signaltransmitting and receiving devices therein and a battery, magneticcontrolling means having coils connected on each side of the battery andon each side of the signal circuit and means operated by the signaltransmitting device for connecting the battery to the signal receivingdevices in parallel to said magnetic controlling means.

13. A signaling system comprising a circuit having signal transmittingand receiving devices therein and a battery, a resistance normallyincluded in said circuit between each side'of the battery and the signalreceiving devices, and means operated by the signal transmitting devicewhereby said batteries may be connected to the signal receiving devicesin parallel with said resistances.

' 14. A signaling circuit having signal receiving devices therein, abattery normally connected to said signaling circuit, throughresistances connected to each pole of said I battery, shunt circuitsaround said resist auccs whereby the battery may be directly applied tothe signaling circuit, and a signal transmitting device controlling saidshunt circuits. I

15. A signaling circuit, signal receiving devices connected therein, abattery for said signaling circuit, two current paths from each pole ofsaid battery to said signaling circuit, one of which .current pathsincludes a resistance and connects with one terminal 'of the signalingcircuit and the other of which current paths is controlled by a. signaltransmit-ting device and connects with the other terminal of thesignaling circuit.

16. A signaling circuit, signal receiving devices connected therein, abattery for said signaling circuit, two current paths from each pole ofsaid battery to said signaling circi it, one of which current paths isclosed and includes a resistance and connects with one terminal of thesignaling circuit and the other of which current paths is controlled bya signal transmitting device and connects with the other terminal of thesignaling circuit, said resistance being sufiicient to prevent operationof the signal receiving devices.

17. A signaling circuit, signal receiving devices connected therein, abattery for said signaling circuit, two current paths fronr each pole ofsaid battery to said signaling means having a resistance sufficient topre- 21. The combination in a si 'said resistances controlled b circuit,one of which current paths is closedand includes a ma netic controlandcon nects with one terminal of the signaling circuit and the other ofwhich current paths is controlled by a si nal transmitting device andconnects with t e other terminal of the signaling circuit,sai'd'magneti'c controlling vent operation of the signal receiving devices.

19. A signaling circuit, signal receiving:

devices connected therein, a battery for said signaling circuit, twocurrent paths from each pole of said battery to said signaling circuit.oncof which current paths'includes a relay and connects with oneterminal of the signalingcircuit and the other of which current paths iscontrolled by a signal trans-- mitting device and connects with theother terminal of the signaling circuit, said relays controlling-localcircuits including signaling devices. I L

20. A signaling circuit, signal receiving devices-connected therein, abattery for said signaling circuit, two current paths from each pole ofsaid battery to said signaling circuit, one of which current pathsincludes a relay and connects with 6116 terminal of the signalingcircuit and the other of which current-paths is controlled by a signaltransmitting device and connects with the other terminal of thesignaling circuit, said relays controlling local circuits includ ngsignaling devices, and havinga resistance sufiicient to preventoperation of said signal rel iving devices.

alingcirout of a battery, signal receiving devices, an a signaltransmitting device arranged to sen signals in one direction, with meansincl ding magnetic controlling devices for causing to flow through saidsignal receiving devices in an opposite direction a constant current ofinsufficient strength to operate said signal receiving devices.

22. A signaling system comprising a source of current and signalreceiving de vices, resistances serially connected between each terminalof said current source and said signal receiving devices, signaltransmitting means, and cross connections for the said signaltransmitting means whereby t e battery terminal of each resistance maybe connected to the line terminal and the other resistance.

23. A signaling system comprising a source of current and signalreceiving devices, resistances serially connected between each terminalof said current" source and said signal receiving devices,'crossconnections for the said resistances, controlled by said signaltransmitting means, said signal whereby the battery terminal of eachresistance maybe connected to the line terminaland the other.resistance. v 24. A signaling system comprising a source of current andsignal'receiving de' vices, resistances serially connected between eachterminal of said current. source and.

said signal receiving devices, electroinagnets comprising or formingpart of one or both, ,of the res1stances,s1gnal transmitting means,

and cross connections for the said resistance circuits controlled bysaid signal transmitting means whereby the battery terminal of eachresistance circuit may be connectedto the line terminal and the otherresistance circuit.

25. A signaling system comprising a source of current and signalreceiving devices, resistances comprising magnetic controlling meansserially connected between each terminal of said current source and saidsignal receiving devices, signal transmitting means and crossconnections for the said resistance circuits controlled by said signaltransmitting means whereby the battery terminal of each resistancecircuit may be connected to the line terminal and the other resistancecircuit.

26. A signaling system comprising a source of currentand signalreceiving devices, resistances comprising magnetic con trolling meansserially connected between each terminal of said currentsource and saidsignal receiving devices, signal transmitting means and crossconnections for the said resistance circuits controlled by said signaltransmitting means whereby the battery terminal of each resistancecircuit may be connected to the line terminal and the other resistancecircuit, and a'local battery circuit containing a signal devicecontrolled by the magnetic controlling means.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE BEACH. Witnesses:

C. M. CoNNER'roN, M. L. THOMAS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

